F
ur parents are often devastated after
a diagnosis of deafness, whether you
have suspected this for some time or
it is sudden and unexpected. It is important
to remember that, just like hearing-impaired
humans, deaf dogs can live a full life with some
changes to their environment and lifestyle.
The causes of hearing loss in dogs may
be breed-specific. Certain coat patterns and
colours like white, spotted, piebald or merle
coats or white heads and ears have been
linked to deafness in dogs. If genetic, the
deafness may be congenital or the dog may
go deaf at an early age. Other causes of
deafness include injuries, illnesses, tumours
and old age.
After a full assessment and diagnosis, your
vet will explain to you the degree of your
pet’s hearing loss. Deafness may be partial
or permanent, depending on the cause and it
may occur in one (unilateral deafness) or both
ears equally (bilateral deafness).Changes to consider
In order to ensure the safety of your deaf dog,
you need to take cognisance of your home and
environment.- Identification
First up, if your dog does not yet have a
microchip, have one implanted as soon as
possible. Your dog should also have a collar
with an identification disc, your cell phone
number and an inscription: ‘I am deaf’. This
will ensure, that should anything unforeseen
occur, he can get the assistance he needs. - Deaf puppies
If you have a deaf puppy, don’t neglect
puppy classes and obedience training. These
are highly beneficial for deaf pups to learn
socialisation skills. The instructors should
be informed about your puppy’s deafness so
additional instruction can be offered. - Calling your dog
A partially deaf dog may be able to hear a
high-frequency dog whistle which can be
useful when you need to call your dog to come
for his meal or when you want to go for a walk.
Dogs naturally communicate using body
language, and you can take advantage of this
if your dog is deaf. Try a physical gesture, such
as waving your arms to attract his attention,
and always reward your dog for coming to you.
Do this even when the dog comes to you on
his own. Show your dog that checking in with
you is always a positive experience – this will
encourage him to do it more often.
Use a cat bell on his collar so that you can
quickly identify where your dog is in the house.- Safe at home
Take a walk around your property and ensure
that it is secure. If your dog has access to your
front gate and driveway, section off the property
to prevent access to these areas.
Beds should be placed in a safe area where
your dog cannot injure himself should he
get startled while asleep. Beds should not be
placed on a staircase landing or close to stoves,
fireplaces and heaters.
If you need to wake your dog, do so gently
or he may react with a nip or bite. Stand close
by his bed so he can get a whiff of your scent
or place your hand near his nose. You can also
apply a gentle touch to his leg or stamp the
floor, very lightly, so he can pick up on the
vibrations. Try various options and see what
works for your dog. Always be careful not to
give your dog a fright. - Walking your dog
Pay very close attention when out walking
your dog. He won’t hear vehicles or people
approaching and he may startle. Tie a bandana
around your dog’s neck to alert people of his
disability. A white bandana is sometimes used
to indicate that the dog is deaf or blind.
Always keep your deaf pet on lead when
taking him for a walk or visiting the dog park.Communication
The most important change that everyone
in the family needs to make is how you
communicate with your dog. Auditory
language and spoken cues in training need
to be replaced with visual cues.Hand signals
Some pet owners use common signs from
South African Sign Language, or you
could make up and use your own signals,
provided that each sign is different to the
others you use.
Consider signs or gestures that you
naturally do when you speak to your dog.
Hearing dogs often pick up on visual cues
and facial expressions too, so if your dog’s
deafness has progressed over time, he may
already be looking at the visual cues that he
associates with certain words and activities.
Some trainers also advocate that you say
the word with a clear mouth shape and/or
animated facial expressions.
Establish the signals for the various
commands and use them every time you
communicate with your dog. For example,
holding your dog’s leash, you clearly form
the word ‘walk’ with your lips and move the
leash up and down in your hand. For sit, you
can place your palm facing down and move
your hand downwards. You should have
cues for heel, fetch, stay, food, car, bed and
any other activities you do with your dog.
When he understands your visual cues,
use treats and physical affection to reward
him positively.The most important change that everyone
in the family needs to make is how you
communicate with your dog.lifestyleDOGTA LK